Published: 31/07/2025 By Loney Miller
While the sun is still making regular appearances, and we’re in the midst of summer, now is a great time to get your green thumbs and trowels out and enjoy some nice relaxing planting. Not only is it a great hobby to spruce up the front of your home, a green front garden can actually have lots of positive impacts.We’ve taken local residents’ advice, from Green the Grid, on how your garden can make a positive change to you, the wildlife and your local environment this summer. Green the Grid is a voluntary group of neighbours in Southfields on a mission to encourage people to green the streets and their gardens through plant swap events and a gardening club.
Want to find out what direct impact you can make? We’ve put together some handy tips for you below.
Providing a haven for wildlife
As ever, our VIBee’s, and other pollinators, are still in need of forage, nesting and breeding sites which can be found in your green garden. Currently, they’re needed more than ever due to the decline in natural sites for the pollinators, an increased use of pesticides on plants and the impact of climate change on these species.
Certain plants and flowers are better for pollinators, which you can find on the Royal Horticultural Society website, but any plant is better than paving for our all-important butterflies, bees and friends.
Improving the air quality of your area
We all know that plants are good for the environment and in absorbing pollutants, but did you know hedges can reduce exposure to some forms of pollution up to 63 percent, according to a study by The University of Surrey. If hedges aren’t possible to plant, other plants such as wallflowers, Lady’s Mantle and ivy are great alternatives.
Reducing the risk of flooding
Research highlights that covering front gardens with impermeable paving can increase surface water run-off significantly, so changing this out for plants can reduce the risk, as they absorb so much of the water. Simply removing a few paving stones to create flower beds will act as run-off areas for the water, keeping your plants healthy and your house dry.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can replace any impermeable paving, such as concrete slabs, with surfaces such as gravel, brick or natural grass to further reduce your flood risk. For some low maintenance options for your planting, creeping thyme, microclover or chamomile are great for absorbing excess water.
Improving your general health
Planting in your front garden can do you as much good as the insects. Your physical health will improve with better air quality, but also gardening is a great way to reset and relax. Maintaining your front garden can become a new hobby, and give you something to care for and enjoy, while also making the front of your home look lovely.
If you really want to get your green thumbs out, gardening can also become a nice form of gentle exercise in the comforts of your home. Is there really anything more fulfilling to do on a nice sunny afternoon in south west London?
It can even give you a chance at winning an award, as the Southfields Grid Residents Association (SGRA) and Green the Grid run a Front Garden Awards competition each summer. They hand out awards and prizes for both front gardens and planted tree bases, which brings out the real sense of community that exists here in Southfields.
Helping cool your home
Sometimes, a lovely bit of sun through your window is perfect for brightening the space and keeping your home warm, but in the summer months, things might get a bit blinding and a bit too hot for comfort. If you plant features such as hedges, small trees or bushy plants, this could add a layer of shade in your outdoor and indoor space when they bloom in the summer.
Sprucing up your space!
Finally, sometimes it’s just nice to walk to your front door and be greeted by a nice, fresh space outside your home. It can be hard to make the most of your front garden, but even if you have a little bit of space you can transform it into a beautiful area.
At Loney Miller, we love to see a well-planted front garden as not only does it have great benefits, but it gives houses for sale that extra bit of kerb appeal. Nothing is more inviting than being able to tell a home has been well-maintained, before you’ve even stepped inside.
Happy planting everyone, and if you need any more advice or want to get involved, head over to the Green the Grid website for some front garden friendly advice.